Wuhan Tianhe International Airport master concession opening “a milestone in Asia Pacific” for Lagardère Travel Retail

CHINA. Lagardère Travel Retail and Hubei Airport Group have celebrated the grand opening of the retail and foodservice master concession at Wuhan Tianhe International Airport’s new Terminal 3.

More than 90 outlets across all product categories, including luxury, travel essentials, speciality goods and food & beverage, feature in the 8,000sq m concession.

Milestone opening: From left to right, Lagardère Travel Retail CEO – Greater China Eudes Fabre; Hubei Airports Group Industrial Company General Manager Liu Zhanming; Lagardère Travel Retail Chairman and CEO Dag Rasmussen; Consul General of France in Wuhan Olivier Guyonvarch; Hubei Airports Group Industrial Company Vice-General Manager Meng Qingju; and Lagardère Travel Retail COO – Asia Pacific Emmanuel de Place.

Lagardère Travel Retail said it had worked in close partnership with the airport company and brands to create an offer “on par with the best international airports”, with a blend of international, national and local brands. Sense of Place, reflecting Wuhan’s history, culture and cuisine, is a key feature, the retailer noted.

The opening marks the completion of the retail and foodservice offer in the 495,000sq m Terminal 3, which opened last year.

“The commercial programme we have developed here in Wuhan shows the potential of the master concession model to enhance both commercial revenues and passenger experience,” said Lagardère Travel Retail Chairman and CEO Dag Rasmussen.

“Proper planning, flexible use clauses and an equitable sharing of risk and reward between stakeholders enable us to deliver a world-class commercial offer to fast-growing, medium-sized airports. We are very grateful for the trust Hubei Airport Group has placed in our company and for the support received from our brand partners in the development of this project.”

A variety of international luxury brands feature, including Emporio Armani (above) and Calvin Klein Jeans and Ermenegildo Zegna (both pictured below).

Lagardère Travel Retail COO – Asia Pacific Emmanuel de Place added: “Our opening here in Wuhan is another milestone for our development in the Asia Pacific region. It demonstrates the value of our multi-segment development strategy for landlords and brands alike and underlines our commitment to excellence in every aspect of our operations.”

Hubei Airports Group Industrial Company General Manager Liu Zhanming commented: “As the largest commercial operator at Wuhan Airport, Lagardère Travel Retail has developed a mutually-beneficial proposition for our airport.

“Wuhan Airport will jointly promote the development of aeronautical and non-aeronautical activities and collaborate with our partners to innovate and advance the airport business. With a professional, market-oriented and international approach, we will write together a new chapter of prosperity in the airport commercial sector.”

Some of the international luxury brands to feature include Emporio Armani, Ermenegildo Zegna, Hugo Boss, MCM, Coach, Calvin Klein Jeans, Pandora, Estée Lauder, Lancôme, Sunglass Hut and Victoria’s Secret.

Lagardère Travel Retail also noted that travel essentials concepts Relay and Discover Wuhan were among the other retail units.

In food & beverage, international brands such as Starbucks, McDonald’s and Burger King feature alongside national brands Ajisen Ramen and Hefu Noodle. Local cuisine is showcased in F&B units such as Zhou Hei Ya and Old Hankou.

Food & Beverage The Magazine eZine